By Duncan Mboyah
An air quality action plan and a public data portal have been launched to accelerate action for clean air in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital.
Supported by the Breathe Cities initiative, Nairobi City County’s Air Quality Action Plan (2025–2029) and Kenya’s first city-owned air quality data management system and public portal are expected to empower policymakers and residents with real-time data to guide evidence-based action that helps deliver a cleaner air future for Nairobians.
Air pollution was linked to approximately 2,500 premature deaths in Nairobi in 2019 – a stark reminder of its deadly impact.
In 2023, average levels of harmful fine particles (PM2.5) in the city’s air were four times higher than what the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends, signaling that something must be done to protect the city’s inhabitants, especially the most vulnerable.
Air pollution remains one of Nairobi’s most pressing public health and environmental challenges, linked to thousands of premature deaths every year.
The new frameworks provide an enforceable and data-driven approach to reducing pollution, promoting transparency, and safeguarding citizen health.
Nairobi now joins a global network of cities under this initiative, all committed to achieving cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable urban environments.
Johnson Sakaja, the Governor for Nairobi city county, said that the two documents marked a defining moment in Nairobi’s journey toward a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable city.
“We are empowering our city to take bold, evidence-based action to reduce air pollution and safeguard the well-being of our residents through strong policies and a transparent data system,” Sakaja said, noting that the team at the County are committed to making Nairobi a model green city for Africa.
Maureen Njeri, County Executive Committee Member for Green Nairobi, observed that the launch signifies that every decision, from transport to waste management, is guided by accurate information and a shared responsibility to protect the health of residents of Nairobi.
Njeri said that the initiatives demonstrate a resolve to make air quality management a central part of Nairobi’s development agenda.
Mikle Saxton, Project Director for Breathe Cities and in charge of Clean Air Fund, noted that the initiative works to reduce air pollution by strengthening policy, data systems, and community engagement.
Saxton noted that his organization supported Nairobi to install a first-of-its-kind network of 50 city-owned air quality sensors across schools, health care facilities, and other key locations, providing the foundation for today’s new data portal in early 2025.
He revealed that Nairobi has joined Accra and Johannesburg in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)with the launch of the two important documents.
Saxton added that the Breathe Cities have regulations that will be transferred to other cities in Kenya.
The plan will create a cleaner Nairobi for all, through targeted actions, measurable goals and coordinated interventions across key sectors such as transport, industry and waste management.
An innovative air quality data management system, complemented by an open public portal. Supported by Breathe Cities and operated by Nairobi City County, this platform opens access to hyper-local data from the 50 sensors across the city for all: leaders, researchers, civil society organizations and residents alike.
By providing transparent data on the levels of air pollution where people live and work, this portal will encourage innovative solutions and foster community engagement on Nairobi’s path to cleaner air.
For the first time, the city residents can access real-time, local air quality data about the air they are breathing, enabling them to take targeted action to protect public health.
This progress demonstrates how collaboration can drive rapid progress towards cleaner air and a healthier future.
These initiatives establish a coordinated framework for policy enforcement, transparent data access, and citizen engagement, positioning Nairobi as a continental leader in clean air governance.
The process has been developed through a highly consultative process involving a wide range of stakeholders, including civil society representatives and community groups, academic institutions and technical experts.
